Top Ten Fantasy Rookies (AFC Edition)

The most-hyped up NFL Draft EVER has concluded and were left with a ton of possible impact rookies. An interesting tidbit to keep in mind this year is that a record 98 underclassman entered this year’s draft. This could mean that some players’ development will take a year or two longer than it usually would.

The Bengals must view Hill as their power back of the future. Last year’s second round pick, Gio Benard, is their finesse back in a two-back system. The only reason Hill is so low on this list is because BenJarvus Green-Ellis is still around for now.

9.) Jacksonville Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (Round 1 – 3rd overall)

Bortles was the first quarterback taken, but the Jaguars have announced they will make Chad Henne the starter for 2014. The reasoning is that they don’t want Bortles to be Blaine Gabbert-Round 2. That doesn’t mean Henne won’t get hurt or that Jacksonville’s few fans will be demanding for Bortles to play by season’s end. Bortles could be great in a keeper’s league involving one of the final rounds.

8.) Oakland Raiders QB Derek Carr (Round 2 – 36th overall)

Matt Schaub will most likely begin the season as the starter, but it won’t take long for Dennis Allen to defer to Carr after the offense becomes stagnant. Oakland is building a nasty defense which will put a lot of pressure on the offense to perform.

With no Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts coming off groin surgery, either Lee or Robinson could step in to an opportunistic situation. However, the Jags still have some obvious deficiencies and we’re not quite sure how fellow rookie Blake Bortles will take off.

6.) New York Jets TE Jace Amaro (Round 2 – 49th overall)

Similar to Kelvin Benjamin to the Carolina Panthers, Amaro joins a team who lacks weapons in the receiving game. Amaro and teammate Eric Decker’s fantasy seasons will hinge on the play of second-year quarterback Geno Smith or new arrival Michael Vick, which isn’t the most comforting notion.

5.) Miami Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry (Round 2 – 63rd overall)

Landry is a bit of a sleeper on the Dolphins’ roster because there’s almost no chance he emerges over teammates Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline. However, Landry dropped in the draft because of a poor combine and pro day. They were no way representative of what the LSU product can do on the football field.

4.) Denver Broncos WR Cody Latimer (Round 2 – 56th overall)

Another young and talented target for Peyton Manning? Yes Please! Latimer had an immensely underrated season at Indiana and has all the tools to become Eric Decker’s replacement in Denver’s highly potent offense. The only downside is that Latimer has to share targets with a handful of weapons.

3.) Tennessee Titans RB Bishop Sankey (Round 2 – 54th overall)

Carlos Hyde may be the most pro-ready pick, but Sankey was the first running back taken because the Titans are in dire need of one. Current Titans’ running backs Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster shouldn’t scare Sankey much. I fully expect Sankey to command the most carries of any of the rookie backs, making him worth drafting in a fantasy draft.

2.) Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins (Round 1 – 4th overall)

Buffalo gave up way too much to get Watkins, a la what the Washington did for RG3 or Atlanta for Julio Jones. While the decision by the Bills in under question, Watkins ability is right up there with RG3 and Jones. Buffalo recently traded away Stevie Williams, setting up Watkins to have an explosive season in 2014.

1.) Cleveland Browns QB Johnny Manziel (Round 1 – 22nd overall)

Manziel is the number one ranked fantasy option in the AFC because the Browns will have to play the kid due to the media’s obsession with Johnny Football. I’m not saying he will be a steal or bust, but he will put up fantasy numbers. Manziel doesn’t know anything else than touchdowns and is built for the game of fantasy football.

Is anyone missing or do you disagree with the order? Please let me know by commenting below or shooting me an email at grays@uwalumni.com.